ABOUT US

The Friends of Rittenhouse Square is a membership organization governed by an Executive Committee and a volunteer Board of Directors elected in November whom each serve a three-year term. We hold two annual meetings for the membership in May and November. Updates are provided on finances, ongoing programs, events, and current projects.

Rittenhouse Square was planned in 1682 by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme, making it the fourth oldest park in the US. Of the five Philadelphia parks they planned, it is the only one to continuously retain its original intent: an urban square to be used as a place of retreat & respite.

Since its founding, improvements to Rittenhouse Square have been led by an engaged group of neighborhood stewards. Upon its inception in 1976, The Friends of Rittenhouse Square group manages many programs and projects needed to sustain the venerable city park. As a nonprofit, we are supported through membership, special events, private donations, sponsorships, and special campaigns.

The friends host various volunteer events including park cleanup days and the bi-annual Love Your Park Week in collaboration with the Fairmount Park Conservancy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

Since 1683, Rittenhouse Square has been a place to meet up with friends, share a meal, and relax in the park's natural beauty. Through the action of past visionary neighbors, leaders, and friends, the Square has remained vibrant and critical to the vitality of Philadelphia. 

To this day, the Square has not lost its original character largely because of the people and businesses who make up the Friends of Rittenhouse Square. The Friends have taken on the bulk of the financial responsibility to sustain Rittenhouse Square, ensuring the park and neighborhood remain vibrant.

See below
to learn about

OUR WORK

The Friends fund special projects

to address the ever-changing needs of the Square.

While the Square

has many fans, what it really needs is more

Friends.

Whether you are a neighborhood resident or simply a lover of Rittenhouse Square, the Friends need everyone’s support to keep this historic landmark vibrant. Please consider becoming a member.

$35 Annual

It is in everyone’s interest to keep the Square beautiful. Annual memberships start at just $35 for young members and there are several different levels of giving suitable for every budget and commitment to Rittenhouse Square – there is even a membership for pets!

Although nearly 10,000 people live and work around the Square, fewer than 8% contribute financially to its upkeep

Leadership

The Friends of Rittenhouse Square is governed by a Board of Directors composed of professionals, business owners, executives, and philanthropists residing and/or working in and around Rittenhouse Square.

Directors are elected in November and serve a three-year term.

Please contact info@friendsofrittenhouse.org for more information. Candidates must have a current Friends of Rittenhouse Square membership and submit a letter of intent with resume by September 15th for consideration.

2022
OFFICERS

Bart Blatstein

President

Stephen J. Lightcap

Vice President of Finance

Doug Blonsky

Vice President of Landscaping

Ken Wellar

Secretary

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Adam Laver

Amanda Burden

Andrew Yaffe

Brendan Walsh

Brian Stetler

Carter Caldwell

Christopher Tiano

David Braverman

Drew Brown

Herbert J. Reid III

Jack Soloff, Jr.

Jeff Brown

Jeremy Kay

Lisa Popowich

Phil Balderston

Sabrina Thorne

Laura LaRosa

Linda Lightman

Mark Nicoletti

Nicole Cashman

Nikki Purvy

Peter Madden

Reed Slogoff

Renee Dubyk

Rob Wasserman

Ryan Boyer

Shira Yoshor

Tim Shaaban

Dominique Casimir

Ramnik Chopra

Brian Emmons

Steve Gartner

Rick Gross

Ken Mallin

Harvey Ostroff

Matt Pestronk

Missy Randolph

Ryan Sanders

Ismail Shahid

Ken Sharples

Donna Slipakoff

Wayne Spilove

We are proud to announce our newest Board Members:

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

GET TO KNOW OUR
Friends